Amplifying Teaching with AI: Digital Tools for Inclusive Classrooms

This blog is an extract from a full webinar by Laura Broadbent. You can watch the full webinar here. 

In today’s adult English classrooms, teachers face increasing complexity, from hybrid learning environments to diverse learner needs. The question is no longer whether AI should be used in education, but how it can be used effectively without compromising the human touch. 

Here’s how you can make it happen. 

Smarter Planning with Reliable Tools 

Planning a lesson doesn’t have to take hours. With tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai, you can quickly generate ideas and multimodal content to make lessons engaging and inclusive. 

• ChatGPT helps with brainstorming and creating text or images, but it should not be used for lesson plans, as an information source, or for marking and feedback. 

• Perplexity.ai helps with researching lesson ideas using reliable sources. You can choose whether the information comes from the web, academic resources, or social. This flexibility makes it ideal for planning lessons that are accurate and globally relevant. 

Make Learning Inclusive and Accessible 

The following digital tools can make it easy to create engaging lessons for every learner: 

• Mentimeter activates prior knowledge and creates interactive warm-up activities. 

• Adobe Firefly generates custom visuals for vocabulary and discussion prompts in seconds. 

• Diffit creates summaries, adjusts reading length, and rewrites content with specific vocabulary. It is easy to print these activities and use them in the classroom. 

• 11 Labs converts text to speech in various accents from around the world.  

These tools make it easier to create a classroom environment where every student can thrive. 

Encourage Creative Expression with Student-Centred Tools 

AI can also support creative output, helping students express themselves in ways that feel personal and engaging. 

• Coloring App allows students to use pre-made pictures or generate their own to colour and create collages of different activities, making it great for younger learners. 

• Canva provides ready-made templates like cubes that students can customise with text and print for class activities. 

• Google Forms helps create surveys and visualise results with infographics. 

• Suno transforms vocabulary into songs, boosting engagement and creativity. 

These activities promote autonomy and make learning more memorable. 

Teach Smarter, Not Harder 

You don’t need to use every tool, just the ones that support your learning goals. Most offer free versions or trials, so you can experiment without commitment. 

Whether you’re planning a warm-up or a full lesson, AI and digital tools can help you personalise learning, support diverse needs, and stay true to your teaching style, all while saving time.